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Graduate students and research staff from SIU's Department of Pharmacology sparked some synapses of Franklin Middle School students on March 3, part of 'Brain Awareness Day.'

Faculty and students from the Department of Pharmacology presented Brain Awareness Day at Franklin Middle School on March 12. The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and SIU HEAL Scholarship supported this year’s outreach project that engages 7th and 8th graders through hands-on activities, games, presentations and a dissection.  Team members pictured: Jesse Britz, Nazmul Haque, Madan Ghimire, Caleigh Findley, Jesika Saucedo, Asmita Dhukhwa, Luyi Zhou. Not pictured: Jarnail Singh, Smita Gupta, Amber Fifer, Jeffrey Nie, Vidya Sundareshan.

In recent years, the conversation around Alzheimer’s and dementia has shifted. While there is still progress to be made for the public's understanding of the disorder, there has been heightened awareness of what dementia looks like and how it affects someone. It's permeated pop culture as well. NBC’s hit show “This is Us” featured a main character with Alzheimer’s, showing the intricacies and evolution of the disease. Families of celebrities like Tony Bennett have used their elevated platform to raise awareness of the challenges it can bring. Recently, Bruce Willis’ family publicly shared his

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) has granted accredited status to the SIU School of Medicine Breast Center in Springfield . To achieve voluntary NAPBC accreditation, a breast center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients. As an NAPBC-accredited center, the School of Medicine Breast Center is committed to maintaining levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care

Among the many questions that may arise for those diagnosed with breast cancer, the topic of breast reconstruction may be one of the early discussions you'll want to have with your doctor. Join SIU Medicine professionals for an informal discussion of breast cancer reconstruction options you may want to consider, as well as hear from two breast cancer patients — one who had reconstruction surgery, and one who opted not to go that route. There is no cost to register - visit siumed.edu/cpd. Attendees can attend in-person at the Memorial Learning Center, or virtually. Doors open at 4:30 pm; the

SIU Medicine joins other organizations and families around the country in celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. We're doing our part to spread awareness about this leading type of cancer, including its signs and symptoms, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent it. An often overlooked aspect of breast cancer awareness is life after breast cancer surgery. Though a mastectomy can save a woman's life, it can also leave her reeling with unexpected emotions and challenges. For this reason, SIU Medicine encourages our communities to honor another

Dr. Careyana Brenham has been selected as the new associate dean for graduate medical education (GME) at SIU School of Medicine.

The inner ear is lined with two types of hair cells that help us to hear and balance. The cells respond to sound waves for hearing and head and body movement for balance. As we age, the cells are injured or die off, and our hearing and balance suffer as a result. Studies have shown that the hair cells in fish, frogs and birds can regenerate naturally. New research by scientists at the University of Washington and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine indicates that the hair cells involved with balance—called vestibular cells—may also be replenished in mammals. This could have

Loneliness, isolation are worsening mental health in seniors Creating community and providing education can help deliver the solution. For more than a decade, Karen Lee has fostered connections through stained glass, modeling clay, markers and more. Lee leads Art Express , a program within the Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine that gives those with dementia a chance to express themselves without having to verbalize their feelings. On its face, it’s a valuable program as it gives those with dementia a better quality of life. It allows caregivers to breathe. But from the beginning, a

Creating a community that better understands Alzheimer's and dementia fosters a better environment for all. One where shop owners understand unusual behavior, where waiters can provide more patience with a confused customer, and one where caregivers have allies and neighbors who better comprehend their situation. The Dementia Friends initiative is about turning your new understanding of dementia into practical actions, helping others in your community. An estimated 250,000+ people are living with dementia in Illinois. Every action counts. Led by Debbie Kuhns, program director at the Smith